Written Answers Tuesday 14 August 2007

Scottish Executive

Access for People with Disabilities

Bill Wilson (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many wheelchair-accessible and barrier-free homes have been built by private developers in each of the last five years.

Stewart Maxwell: The information requested is not held centrally.

Access for People with Disabilities

John Lamont (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to change the disabled blue badge system.

Stewart Stevenson: The eligibility criteria for the Blue Badge scheme was widened in April 2007. Department for Transport are currently carrying out a three month review of the scheme which will assist in a comprehensive Blue Badge Reform Strategy by April 2008 and the government will have input into both the review and reform strategy.

Access for People with Disabilities

John Lamont (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to extend the disabled system to families with disabled children.

Stewart Stevenson: The eligibility criteria for the Blue Badge scheme was widened in April 2007 to include disabled children under two years with specific medical conditions which require bulky medical equipment. Department for Transport are currently carrying out a three month review of the scheme which will assist in a comprehensive Blue Badge Reform Strategy by April 2008 and the government will have input into both the review and reform strategy.

Benefits

Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the number of pensioners (a) entitled to and (b) who claimed council tax benefit and what amount was paid in each year since 1999, also broken down by local authority area.

John Swinney: (a) Council tax benefit is administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Estimates of the number of people entitled to council tax benefit are available only at the Great Britain level.

  (b) DWP data on council tax benefit recipients aged over 60 in Scotland, and by local authority area, are reported as follows in tables 1 and 2. Please note that prior to May 2004 these data were available at the Scotland level only. Data on council tax benefit expenditure for pensioners in Scotland and by local authority area are shown in table 3. The data source used cannot provide pensioner data separately prior to 2004-05.

  Table 1: Council Tax Benefit Recipients Aged 60 and Over: Scotland, May 1999 to May 2003

  

 
Thousands


May 1999
299


May 2000
275


May 2001
281


May 2002
284


May 2003
275



  Source: Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System, Annual 1% sample, taken in May 1999 to 2003. This source is the only one available that provides pensioner data separately prior to May 2004. It does not provide a local authority breakdown.

  Notes:

  1. The figures are based on a 1% sample and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling variation.

  2. The data refers to benefit units, which may be a single person or a couple.

  3. Caseloads have been rounded to the nearest thousand.

  4. Council tax benefit totals exclude any Second Adult Rebate cases.

  5. "Aged 60 and over" is defined as benefit units where the claimant and/or partner are aged 60 and over. Therefore figures will contain some claimants aged under 60 where there is a partner aged over 60 years.

  Table 2: Council Tax Benefit recipients Aged 60 and Over by Local Authority: Scotland, May 2004 to November 2006

  

 
May 2004
May 2005
May 2006
November 2006


Scotland
275,370
277,960
275,920
274,860


Aberdeen City
8,280
8,420
8,490
8,370


Aberdeenshire
7,240
7,490
7,640
7,730


Angus
5,160
5,410
5,570
5,570


Argyll and Bute
4,480
4,540
4,410
4,460


Clackmannanshire
2,350
2,410
2,480
2,480


Dumfries and Galloway
7,590
7,500
7,950
8,280


Dundee City
9,920
9,630
9,820
9,790


East Ayrshire
7,890
7,980
7,630
7,790


East Dunbartonshire
3,370
3,450
3,360
3,420


East Lothian
4,500
4,550
4,580
4,580


East Renfrewshire
2,720
2,790
2,950
2,940


Edinburgh, City of
18,080
18,550
17,860
17,700


Eilean Siar
2,090
2,150
2,210
2,210


Falkirk
7,660
7,880
7,790
7,780


Fife
16,110
15,830
17,060
16,960


Glasgow City
51,330
50,140
48,550
46,290


Highland
9,700
10,120
10,210
10,270


Inverclyde
5,800
5,930
5,270
5,420


Midlothian
3,670
3,650
3,620
3,650


Moray
3,540
3,690
3,800
3,820


North Ayrshire
8,010
8,330
8,440
8,570


North Lanarkshire
20,660
21,130
21,000
21,180


Orkney Islands
760
810
840
850


Perth and Kinross
5,290
5,550
5,040
5,450


Renfrewshire
10,320
10,490
9,690
9,740


Scottish Borders
5,360
5,540
5,700
5,680


Shetland Islands
720
810
850
850


South Ayrshire
5,920
6,060
5,830
5,910


South Lanarkshire
18,260
18,770
18,750
18,630


Stirling
3,420
3,490
3,570
3,570


West Dunbartonshire
7,390
6,910
7,050
7,070


West Lothian
7,810
7,960
7,920
7,850



  Source: Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System Quarterly 100% caseload stock-count taken in May 2004 to May 2006 and November 2006.

  Notes: See notes 1 to 5 for table 1.

  Table 3 - Council Tax Benefit Expenditure on Pensioners

  

 
£ Million


2004-05
2005-06
2006-07


Scotland
181.632
186.364
191.565


Aberdeen City
5.689
5.977
6.072


Aberdeenshire
4.785
4.981
5.321


Angus
3.179
3.373
3.494


Argyll and Bute
3.178
3.221
3.375


Clackmannanshire
1.474
1.582
1.686


Dumfries and Galloway
4.855
4.970
5.449


Dundee City
6.678
6.489
6.714


East Ayrshire
4.783
5.018
5.160


East Dunbartonshire
2.710
2.705
2.900


East Lothian
3.163
3.301
3.358


East Renfrewshire
1.968
2.173
2.334


Edinburgh, City of
13.520
13.184
13.433


Eilean Siar
1.217
1.263
1.339


Falkirk
4.243
4.506
4.683


Fife
9.504
10.318
10.931


Glasgow City
35.372
36.486
35.180


Highland
6.735
7.105
7.519


Inverclyde
3.979
3.496
3.580


Midlothian
2.706
2.808
2.900


Moray
2.185
2.371
2.469


North Ayrshire
5.328
5.564
5.778


North Lanarkshire
12.233
12.654
13.257


Orkney Islands
0.457
0.501
0.525


Perth and Kinross
3.683
3.305
3.843


Renfrewshire
7.046
7.019
7.084


Scottish Borders
3.212
3.402
3.526


Shetland Islands
0.436
0.489
0.506


South Ayrshire
4.091
3.987
4.260


South Lanarkshire
11.098
11.828
12.205


Stirling
2.413
2.545
2.670


West Dunbartonshire
5.057
4.823
5.014


West Lothian
4.655
4.920
5.000



  Notes:

  1. Totals may not sum due to rounding.

  2. Estimates of expenditure split by elderly/working age are not provided prior to 2004-05 due to the unavailability of this split within the quarterly administrative data before that year. For a definition of pensioners, see note 5 to table 1.

  3. 2006-07 figures are based on initial final (pre-audited) data, so are provisional and may be subject to change.

Biodiversity

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Biodiversity List should be supplied as part of the consultative process for local plans drawn up by national park and local authorities.

Stewart Stevenson: There is no requirement on planning authorities to supply the Scottish Biodiversity List as part of the consultative process for local plans drawn up by national park and local authorities.

Building Standards

Nicol Stephen (Aberdeen South) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has established an expert panel to report on changes to building regulations.

Stewart Stevenson: I have asked Dr. Paul Stollard, Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Standards Agency (SBSA), to answer. His response is as follows:

  The SBSA is in the process of finalising the membership of the expert panel to report on the changes needed to develop a strategy for low carbon building standards and improve building regulations to increase energy efficiency standards towards those that exist in Scandinavia.

Central Heating

Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many households have benefited from the central heating programme in each year since its inception, broken down by local authority area.

Stewart Maxwell: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:

  Information is not held by local authority area. Information showing the total number of central heating installations across all sectors is shown in the following table:

  

Year
Total


2001-02
8,508


2002-03
11,220


2003-04
16,788


2004-05
15,207


2005-06
16,002


2006-07 (estimate)1
14,425


Total
82,150



  Note: 1. Final outturn figure for 2006-07 not yet available.

Central Heating

Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many homes have benefited from the Warm Deal in each year since its inception, broken down by local authority area.

Stewart Maxwell: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:

  Information is not held by local authority area. Information showing the total number of Warm Deal installations across all sectors is shown in the following table:

  

Year
Total


1999-20001
47,085


2000-01
49,215


2001-02
40,877


2002-03
29,992


2003-04
27,520


2004-05
19,013


2005-06
15,500


2006-07 (estimate)2 
23,865


Total
253,067



  Notes:

  1. This figure includes dwellings improved under The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme and The New Energy Efficiency Deal for Scotland scheme which were still operational in 1999-2000.

  2. Final outturn figure for 2006-07 not yet available.

Central Heating

Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much the Warm Deal grant has been in each year since its inception in (a) cash and (b) real terms.

Stewart Maxwell: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:

  The maximum Warm Deal grant available to eligible householders in each year since its inception in 1999-2000 is £500.

  The value of the maximum Warm Deal grant in real terms, using 1999-2000 as the base year, is shown in the following table.

  

Year
Warm Deal GrantReal Terms(£)


1999-2000
500


2000-01
493


2001-02
481


2002-03
467


2003-04
454


2004-05
442


2005-06
433


2006-07
421



  Notes:

  1. Figures calculated using GDP deflators as at 28 June 2007.

  2. Figures rounded to the nearest £.

Civil Service

Nicol Stephen (Aberdeen South) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has had discussions on the creation of a wholly-devolved civil service.

John Swinney: The Scottish Government has had preliminary discussions with the Head of the Home Civil Service, the Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, UK Government Permanent Secretaries with an interest and staff unions about the issues relevant to a discussion on the creation of a devolved Scottish civil service.

  Consideration of the issues and further discussions with relevant colleagues and stakeholders are continuing.

Civil Service Relocation

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what weighting it gives to rural locations when deciding where public sector departments and agencies are to be located.

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will adopt a "rural bias" when deciding where public sector departments and agencies are to be located.

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what weighting it gives to areas of economic deprivation when deciding where public sector departments and agencies are to be located.

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the relocation of public sector departments and agencies to areas of economic deprivation.

John Swinney: We are currently considering future policy on the location of public sector posts within Executive departments, agencies and non-departmental public bodies and will make an announcement about this in due course.

Community Councils

Nicol Stephen (Aberdeen South) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has begun consultation on new powers for reformed community councils.

John Swinney: We have begun consulting stakeholders, through the Community Council Working Group, on developing the role of community councils. This will including identifying pilots for supporting community councils to play a greater role in Community Planning and also for allowing them to have some control over existing spending in their area to meet specific local priorities.

Council Tax

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether replacing council tax with a local income tax will provide flexibility to local authorities in exercising their responsibilities.

John Swinney: In exercising their responsibilities, local authorities allocate their resources on the basis of local needs and local and national priorities. Replacing council tax with a local income tax will not change this.

Council Tax

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that freezing the current council tax levels for all local authorities will enable them to exercise their responsibilities adequately in line with projected inflation.

John Swinney: I am currently having very constructive discussions with local government about a package of measures to enable local authorities to maintain and improve the frontline public services they deliver and to deliver a freeze in council tax levels.

Council Tax

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will meet its commitment to freeze council tax in the next financial year.

John Swinney: The government’s commitment to freeze council tax levels at 2007-08 levels will be taken forward as part of the Spending Review. The outcome of the Spending Review will be announced later this year. Discussions with local government are on-going as to how best the council tax freeze can be achieved.

Council Tax

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that there are no reductions in services as a consequence of its commitment to freeze council tax levels in the next financial year.

John Swinney: Discussions are on-going with local government on how best to deliver a council tax freeze. Throughout these discussions I have made it absolutely clear that we are working towards a strategic agreement on a range of measures that will enable local authorities to deliver a council tax freeze while maintaining and improving frontline services.

Council Tax

Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much was raised through statutory penalties imposed for the late payment of council tax and what the administration costs were of collecting and processing penalties in each of the last three years for which information is available, broken down by local authority.

John Swinney: This information is not held centrally.

Council Tax

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what was meant by the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change when writing in the Banffshire Journal on 25 July 2007 that "indeed the structures are now in place to replace the current unfair council tax with a more just local income tax".

John Swinney: The Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change was setting out some of the key priorities and actions for the new government, including the abolition of council tax and its replacement with a fairer local tax based on ability to pay.

Council Tax

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will introduce legislation to implement its commitment to a local income tax.

John Swinney: It is my intention to introduce legislation to abolish the council tax and replace it with a fairer local tax based on ability to pay in the 2008-09 parliamentary session.

Digital Technology

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what financial compensation is available to domestic and business consumers who suffer any disruption to their broadband connections to telephone exchanges upgraded by BT under the contract to upgrade 378 Scottish non-commercial telephone exchange areas to provide broadband.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government’s contract provides for infrastructure upgrade, but not customer service issues, and does not therefore deal with compensation. The reliability of broadband connections is a matter purely for a consumer’s Internet Service Provider (ISP) in conjunction with BT. Customers on non-commercial exchanges are treated in the same manner in this respect as those on commercial exchanges. The response of ISPs to the disruption of broadband services is covered by their standard terms and conditions.

Digital Technology

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints it has received from customers regarding their broadband connections to telephone exchanges upgraded by BT under the contract to upgrade 378 non-commercial telephone exchange areas to provide broadband, broken down by local authority area.

Jim Mather: Customer service is not a contractual issue, and as such, the Government does not log or hold this information.

Digital Technology

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it monitors the reliability of the broadband connections provided by BT under the contract to upgrade 378 non-commercial telephone exchange areas to provide broadband.

Jim Mather: No, this is not covered by the Scottish Government’s contract.

Digital Technology

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the contract between it and BT in respect of the upgrade 378 Scottish non-commercial telephone exchange areas to provide broadband includes a specification for the reliability of the broadband connections and target times for the correction of faults.

Jim Mather: No.

Education

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate it has made of the additional funds that will have to be made available to Angus Council for the full implementation of the commitment to reduce class sizes to 18 and below in P1, P2 and P3.

Adam Ingram: Estimates of the additional funding for individual local authorities to reduce class sizes in P1 to P3 will be made following the completion of the Spending Review.

Education

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many school leavers it estimates have not acquired the basic standards of (a) numeracy and (b) literacy in each year since 1999.

Maureen Watt: The number and percentage of school leavers who left school without a maths or English qualification at SCQF level 3 or better is contained in the following table:

  

School Year
English
Maths


Number
Percentage
Number
Percentage


1998-99
3,744
6.6%
4,012
7.1%


1999-2000
3,472
6.3%
3,666
6.6%


2000-01
3,858
6.7%
3,883
6.8%


2001-02
3,886
6.7%
4,025
7.0%


2002-03
3,847
6.7%
4,404
7.7%


2003-04
3,628
6.2%
4,259
7.3%


2004-05
3,771
6.5%
4,463
7.7%


2005-06
3,615
6.2%
4,125
7.1%



  SCQF Level 3 is equivalent to a standard grade foundation pass or an Access 3 cluster.

Energy

John Lamont (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to seek the Parliament’s approval for the establishment of an Energy Agency for Scotland as a non-departmental public body.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government has no such plans.

Energy

John Lamont (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Enterprise will undertake research into clean coal technology and develop a programme for its use in Scotland.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Enterprise Energy Team have previously provided joint funding for a feasibility study examining the use of clean coal technology at Longannet Power Station. They have also supported work with Heriot-Watt University and the Department of Trade and Industry to investigate opportunities for Underground Coal Gasification.

  At present the team is supporting activities related to carbon sequestration through a CO2 Consortium with the University of Edinburgh and others. They also work closely with the industry and have supported a number of events to promote the case for clean coal.

Energy

John Lamont (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to carry out a review of the electricity infrastructure implications of its renewable energy policies, particularly in light of the National Grid Company’s grid connection charging policy.

Jim Mather: A study examining the effects of increased amount of renewable power generation on the Scottish grid is well underway. We will publish the results of that study before the end of this year. We will continue to press for grid policies and charges which are fair and which support rather than work against environmental objectives and the First Minister expects to meet OFGEM shortly about that.

Enterprise

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion and number of businesses established with the assistance of Business Gateway start-up grants were still in operation beyond the (a) first, (b) second, (c) third, (d) fourth, and (e) fifth year.

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the effectiveness of the Business Gateway in providing support to businesses.

Jim Mather: This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. I will ask its Chief Executive to write to you in response to this question.

Enterprise

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has held any discussions with Scottish Enterprise on the future of the Business Gateway centres.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Executive holds regular discussions with Scottish Enterprise. These discussions cover a range of operational matters, including in respect of the Business Gateway.

Enterprise

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the success of Highlands and Islands Enterprise in delivering its key objectives since 2003.

Jim Mather: Highlands and Islands Enterprise monitors its performance on an annual basis against a set of targets agreed with the Executive. These targets are published in its annual operating plans and monitored by the Executive during the reporting year to ensure that appropriate progress is being made. Highlands and Islands Enterprise reports on its performance against these targets in its annual report.

Environment

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what reports or other evidence it took account of when drawing up its target for an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth on 21 June 2007.

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive why the target for a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth on 21 June, was set at 80%.

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive what other potential targets were assessed in advance of setting the target for an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Stewart Stevenson: The 80% emissions target proposed is in line with the manifesto commitment and sets out the Scottish Government’s level of ambition. We are setting in place research, immediate engagement with stakeholders and a formal consultation in order to inform the nature and level of the target for the proposed Scottish Climate Change Bill.

Ferry Services

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive why a monopoly ferry service provider is acceptable on most routes between the Hebrides and the mainland but is not acceptable between Gourock and Dunoon.

Stewart Stevenson: While CalMac Ferries is the sole operator on a number of west of Scotland ferry routes, that reflects historical developments over many years. The Scottish Executive is not in a position to impose monopoly arrangements on any route, as any operator is free to offer services where it chooses, provided that appropriate regulations on matters such as safety are obeyed.

Ferry Services

Alex Johnstone (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will meet representatives of Highland Council and other relevant local authorities to discuss the findings of the recent Sustainable Transport Research and Development Network in the North Sea Region (SUTRANET) report, State Intervention in Scottish Shipping Markets.

Alex Johnstone (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to meet private sector ferry operators to discuss how they could make a greater contribution to innovation and improved cost-effectiveness in respect of Scottish shipping services, as outlined in the recent Sustainable Transport Research and Development Network in the North Sea Region (SUTRANET) report, State Intervention in Scottish Shipping Markets.

Stewart Stevenson: There have, to date, been no requests for meetings with the Government to discuss this report, or its findings. Should such requests be received, the Government would consider them.

Ferry Services

Alex Johnstone (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to develop and improve ferry links to and from Scotland.

Stewart Stevenson: The development and improvement of ferry links to and from Scotland is primarily a matter for the commercial ferry operators, who will make decisions based on their assessment of the market. The Scottish Government’s powers to support international shipping connections are limited since most shipping matters are reserved to the UK government. However, within the powers available to us, we will support commercially viable proposals, and may be able to offer grant funding depending on the specific nature of any proposal.

Ferry Services

Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many meetings its officials had with EU Commission officials between 1 January and 2 May 2007 to discuss the Gourock to Dunoon ferry service; on what dates the meetings were held, which officials met the Commission; what issues were discussed, and what the outcomes were.

Stewart Stevenson: This administration was formed in May 2007 and is not therefore in a position to provide details of meetings over the period specified in the question. This government is not accountable for any meetings held during a previous administration over the period 1 January to 2 May 2007.

Ferry Services

Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many meetings its officials have had with EU Commission officials since 3 May 2007 to discuss the Gourock to Dunoon ferry service; on what dates the meetings were held; which officials met the Commission; what issues were discussed, and what the outcomes were.

Stewart Stevenson: There have been no meetings between Executive officials and the European Commission since 3 May 2007 to discuss the Gourock-Dunoon ferry service.

Ferry Services

Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Transport, infrastructure and Climate Change next plans to meet the EU Commissioner for Transport, Jacques Barrot, to discuss the Gourock to Dunoon ferry service.

Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is still committed to lifting the current timetable restrictions on the Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) service between Gourock and Dunoon and allowing CalMac to run a half-hourly service and, if so, what actions have been taken to secure that outcome since 3 May 2007.

Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to put the Gourock to Dunoon ferry service out to tender and, if so, when it will invite tenders.

Stewart Stevenson: The government is currently examining the options that are available for the route. As part of that exercise we will consider whether there is a need for discussions with the European Commission at official or political level. We shall announce our plans for the service as soon as possible.

Ferry Services

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what commitments were made by the previous administration to Orkney Islands Council and Orkney Ferries Limited regarding revenue and capital support for inter-island ferry services and whether the current administration has had discussions regarding these matters with either body.

Stewart Stevenson: The previous administration invited Orkney Islands Council to carry out a Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) appraisal relating to their internal transport services given the need the council had identified for significant additional capital and revenue expenditure. No funding commitments were made but it was the intention that the completed STAG would be considered during the Strategic Spending Review. In terms of discussions between the new administration and the council, Executive officials have maintained contact with their counterparts in the council on the progress of the STAG Report which has still to be submitted.

Finance

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will bring proposals for a Scottish Futures Trust to the Parliament before the end of 2007.

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make available details of a Scottish Futures Trust to local authorities before the end of 2007.

John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-1736 on 24 July 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Finance

Nicol Stephen (Aberdeen South) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will bring forward proposals for new management and monitoring arrangements for government and agencies based on the model in Virginia.

John Swinney: We are currently considering the appropriate performance management arrangements that should be implemented once we have reached final decisions on the Strategic Spending Review. Our thinking is being informed by the approach taken in Virginia and I recently held helpful discussions with Bill Leighty, Chief Emeritus, Virginia, to learn from their experience.

Finance

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that the delay in the comprehensive spending review will not adversely affect the delivery of essential services.

John Swinney: We will publish our spending plans as soon as possible after the announcement of the UK Comprehensive Spending Review. However, there will be an impact on the notice we can give delivery bodies of their allocations for 2008-11. We will work with delivery partners to minimise disruption and ensure the on-going smooth delivery of services to customers in circumstances that are outwith the control of the government.

Finance

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will mitigate the effect of the lower budgetary growth anticipated in future spending settlements.

John Swinney: The government will exercise financial discipline and deliver a programme of efficiency and reform to address the effects of the lower Budgetary growth that is anticipated in future funding settlements received from the UK Government.

Finance

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether a real-terms public spending increase of 2.4% will lead to a fall in the level and quality of services financed through central funding initiatives.

John Swinney: Strategic Spending Review 2007 will focus on achieving the Government’s purpose and five strategic objectives. We will work with our partners to deliver the best possible public services with the available resources.

Finance

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to consult the public and public bodies in determining where proposed reductions in public spending should be made.

John Swinney: Along with my Cabinet Secretary and ministerial colleagues, I will be in dialogue with a range of stakeholders over the summer to gather evidence and views on how we can use the strategic spending review to set plans that will enable us to fulfil our purpose and achieve our strategic objectives.

  Parliament will play its role in scrutinising the government’s spending plans after we have announced them later in the autumn.

Financial Inclusion

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any assessment of the financial literacy of young people.

Stewart Maxwell: The Financial Services Authority undertook an assessment of financial capability between September 2005 and March 2006. This survey included a sample of sufficient size to produce separate results for Scotland. The Financial Services Authority will repeat the survey after four to five years, as one of the measures to assess the impact of initiatives to improve financial capability.

Financial Inclusion

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to improve the financial literacy of young people.

Stewart Maxwell: We already have a programme of activity within and outwith schools to improve the financial literacy of young people. This includes the work of the Scottish Centre for Financial Education and support for Young Scot. The financial services industry is involved in several initiatives in schools. The Financial Services Authority’s programmes targeting young people not in education, employment or training and those in higher education also cover Scotland. We will consider future needs as part of the current review of the 2005 Financial Inclusion Action Plan.

Financial Inclusion

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to improve financial inclusion.

Stewart Maxwell: Current activity to improve financial inclusion is set out in the 2005 Financial Inclusion Action Plan. This focuses on three strands: financial education, money advice, and access to financial products and services, including support for credit unions. We work with a range of partners, including local authorities and the financial services industry, and take account of UK-wide programmes, for example, the Financial Services Authority’s work to increase financial capability. The 11 local authority areas with the greatest levels of financial exclusion have received £10.6 million in 2006-08 to deliver programmes appropriate to their locality, covering the same three strands. Future plans will reflect the review of the Financial Inclusion Action Plan currently in progress.

Health

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what the age profile was of the men and women sampled in (a) Orkney, (b) Shetland and (c) the Western Isles in the recent NHS survey of body mass index, as reported in The Scotsman on 30 July 2007, and how this compares with the overall age profile of the population of each island group.

Nicola Sturgeon: The article in The Scotsman refers to maps of body mass index (BMI) for Scotland, but does not give a source for the data used. These maps were not commissioned centrally and we have not been able to find out who has produced them. Therefore, we cannot be sure where the underlying data came from.

  The Scotsman article concerned can be viewed at: http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1183402007.

  Comparison of mean BMI for different areas is not recommended because a small number of very high, or very low, values could skew the mean. This is particularly the case for areas with a relatively small population, such as the island NHS boards.

  The most recent national survey of BMI in Scotland was for the Scottish Health Survey in 2003. The figures quoted in The Scotsman article appear to match the results of this survey. Note that the island NHS boards are grouped together and that their combined results are flagged as potentially unreliable because they are based on small samples.

  For the three island boards combined, the age profiles of the men and women in the Scottish Health Survey 2003 sample were as follows:

  

 Area
Gender
Sample Size
Minimum
Maximum
Mean


Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles
Male
100
16
83
47.1


Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles
Female
95
16
84
48.4



  Source: Scottish Health Survey 2003.

  The General Register Office for Scotland produce estimates of populations. The estimates for mid-2003 indicate that male and female age profiles for the three island NHS boards combined were as follows:

  

Area
Gender
Total Population Aged 16+
Minimum
Maximum
Mean


Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles
Male
26,700
16
90+
47.3


Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles
Female
27,400
16
90+
50.2



  Source: GRO(S) mid-2003 population estimates.

  This suggests that the sample for the 2003 Scottish Health Survey was slightly older on average than the general population of the island NHS boards.

Health

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) men and (b) women were sampled in (i) Orkney, (ii) Shetland, (iii) the Western Isles and (iv) Scotland in the recent NHS survey of body mass index, as reported in The Scotsman on 30 July 2007.

Nicola Sturgeon: The article in The Scotsman refers to maps of body mass index (BMI) for Scotland, but does not give a source for the data used. These maps were not commissioned centrally and we have not been able to find out who has produced them. Therefore, we cannot be sure where the underlying data came from.

  The Scotsman article concerned can be viewed at: http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1183402007.

  Comparison of mean BMI for different areas is not recommended because a small number of very high, or very low, values could skew the mean. This is particularly the case for areas with a relatively small population, such as the island NHS boards.

  The most recent national survey of BMI in Scotland was for the Scottish Health Survey in 2003. The figures quoted in The Scotsman article appear to match the results of this survey. Note that the island NHS boards are grouped together and that their combined results are flagged as potentially unreliable because they are based on small samples.

  The sample for the three island boards combined consisted of 100 men and 95 women aged 16 years and over. The sample for Scotland as a whole consisted of 3,016 men and 3,684 women aged 16 years and over.

  NHS board level results of the 2003 Scottish Health Survey are available at:http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005/11/25145024/50256.

  (BMI results are on the worksheet marked by the tenth tab from the left. The sample sizes are shown at the bottom of the sheet, labelled "Bases".)

Health

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when the research for the recent NHS survey of body mass index across Scotland, as reported in The Scotsman on 30 July 2007, was carried out.

Nicola Sturgeon: The article in The Scotsman refers to maps of Body Mass Index (BMI) for Scotland, but does not give a source for the data used. These maps were not commissioned centrally and we have not been able to find out who has produced them. Therefore, we cannot be sure where the underlying data came from.

  The Scotsman article concerned can be viewed at: http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1183402007.

  Comparison of mean BMI for different areas is not recommended because a small number of very high, or very low, values could skew the mean. This is particularly the case for areas with a relatively small population, such as the island NHS boards.

  The most recent national survey of BMI in Scotland was for the Scottish Health Survey in 2003. The figures quoted in The Scotsman article appear to match the results of this survey. Note that the island NHS boards are grouped together and that their combined results are flagged as potentially unreliable because they are based on small samples.

  NHS board level results of the 2003 Scottish Health Survey are available at:http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005/11/25145024/50256.

  (BMI results are on the worksheet marked by the tenth tab from the left.)

Hepatitis

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide an assurance that there will be no break in funding between the first and second phases of the Hepatitis C Action Plan.

Nicola Sturgeon: Funding of Phase II will, in common with funding across portfolios, be subject to decisions to be taken and announced as part of the Spending Review process. I am not therefore in a position to offer any assurances on funding at this stage.

Hepatitis

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to publish the national outcome indicators for measuring progress in relation to hepatitis C prevention, testing, treatment, care and support, and training and education, as agreed with the Hepatitis C Action Plan Co-ordinating Group and local HCV Executive Leads.

Nicola Sturgeon: Health Protection Scotland now plan to submit national outcome indicators in the context of the Phase II Action Plan Report to the Scottish Executive in February 2008. The original plan, as indicated in the Phase I Action Plan Report , was to agree such Indicators by June 2007. However, as they are linked to the Needs Assessment work and proposed actions for Phase II the national outcome indicators and Phase II actions will now be submitted together.

Hepatitis

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a breakdown of spending of funding received under the Hepatitis C Action Plan in 2006-07 by NHS board.

Nicola Sturgeon: A table showing the breakdown of spending of funding received under the Hepatitis C Action Plan in 2006-07 by NHS board is available in Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 43406). Details for Tayside are not yet available and there is no breakdown of spend for the state hospital.

Hepatitis

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has achieved actions 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 on substance misuse services as described in section 2 of Hepatitis C Action Plan for Scotland - Phase 1: September 2006 - August 2008 .

Nicola Sturgeon: Action 3 has been achieved. The National Quality Standards for Substance Misuse Services were published in September 2006.

  Action 4 has been achieved. The Scottish Government has developed a work plan to take forward its consideration of the recommendations addressed to Executive in the 2006 National Needle Exchange Survey.

  Action 5. The research on the outcomes and risks associated with the use of injecting paraphernalia such as filters, cookers and tourniquets has been completed and the final report will be published in September 2007 following independent peer review.

  Action 6 has been achieved. The Scottish Executive Justice Analytical Services Division completed a synthesis into the work of the Hepatitis C prevention working group in April 2007.

  Action 7. Scottish Prison Services have involved all stakeholders in proposed arrangements for the pilot-in-prison needle exchange in HM Prison Aberdeen. As a result it is likely this initiative will now start next year.

Hepatitis

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients diagnosed with hepatitis C have received treatment in each of the last five years for which figures are available, broken down by NHS board.

Nicola Sturgeon: Information on the number of patients with hepatitis C who received treatment by each health board is not available. The National Clinical Database is being developed to provide accurate Scotland-wide treatment data. The database is expected to be operational in 2008.

Hepatitis

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what work has been undertaken to identify testing and laboratory services for hepatitis C and to assess where new resources are needed to expand or improve existing facilities, broken down by NHS board.

Nicola Sturgeon: As part of the Needs Assessment for Hepatitis C Services in Scotland, a survey of all HCV Testing Laboratories in the country has been undertaken. The results of this survey are being analysed and will inform the proposals for Phase II actions which will include any need to expand or improve existing facilities.

Hepatitis

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has commissioned a study to assess the nature and level of the need for hepatitis C treatment-related funding in each NHS board area.

Nicola Sturgeon: A Needs Assessment relating to testing, treatment, care and support has been undertaken. The findings are being analysed and will inform proposed actions for Phase II of the Action Plan.

Hepatitis

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the interim findings are of the statistical modelling exercise being undertaken by Health Protection Scotland into the cost-effectiveness of different hepatitis C screening approaches.

Nicola Sturgeon: It is anticipated that a report on this and other related studies will be publicly available early in 2008. Preliminary findings from the study will be disseminated at a Hepatitis C Action Plan conference at the Royal College of Physicians (Edinburgh) on 12 October 2007.

  The findings will be used to inform the approach to proposals for hepatitis C screening.

Hepatitis

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to publish the findings of its review of the nature and impact of HIV and hepatitis C public awareness-raising campaigns in other countries.

Nicola Sturgeon: This review is currently being undertaken and its findings will inform the development of public awareness raising campaigns for the proposals for Phase II of the Action Plan. It is planned to make the report available in the autumn.

Hepatitis

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has commissioned qualitative research among people with hepatitis C to identify their information and support needs.

Nicola Sturgeon: Qualitative work was commissioned by the Scottish Executive and undertaken by the Leith Agency. The findings of the work have been used to inform recent initiatives - namely a DVD and the development of a website ( www.hepcscotland.co.uk ) - to support people with hepatitis C.

Hepatitis

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has commissioned a survey of injecting drug users to assess the prevalence of hepatitis C and, if so, what its interim findings are, broken down by NHS board.

Nicola Sturgeon: A study is underway. It is a rolling survey, moving from one health board to another over a 24 month period. To date, recruitment has been completed in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and Lothian. Initial results will be made available later this year.

Hepatitis

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the future funding formula for allocation of blood borne virus funding to NHS boards will be amended to take account of the variable level of development needed in each board area to implement the prevention, treatment, testing, care and education initiatives for phase II of the Hepatitis C Action Plan and to maintain these thereafter.

Nicola Sturgeon: The allocations to health boards for blood borne virus funding are calculated using a formula that uses the population aged 15-44 in each board area, along with the Board’s levels of incidence and prevalence of both hepatitis C and HIV. Each health board also receives £20,000 to cover their fixed costs. Allocations have been calculated, and distributed, up to 2007-08 and the formula will be re-run next year on latest information to calculate allocations from 2008-09 onwards.

Homelessness

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that the target to eradicate unintentional homelessness by 2012 is met in (a) Fife and (b) Scotland.

Stewart Maxwell: The Government’s homelessness target is to abolish priority need by 2012. I refer the member to answer to question S3W-1134 on 26 June 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Homelessness

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the fourth annual report of the Homelessness Monitoring Group on the implementation of the Homelessness Task Force report.

Stewart Maxwell: I refer the member to answer to question S3W-1134 on 26 June 2007. Following consideration of the material referred to, conclusions will be published.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Homelessness

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the 59 recommendations from the Homelessness Task Force report have been fully implemented.

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made against each of the 59 recommendations in the Homelessness Task Force report.

Stewart Maxwell: The last progress report on implementation of the recommendations of the Homelessness Task Force is available on the Scottish Government website at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Housing/homeless/H-M-G/HMG23HTFandHMGpriorities and

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Housing/homeless/H-M-G/HMG23HTFandHMGprioritiesa.

Homelessness

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many individuals have been registered as homeless in each local authority area in each year since 1995.

Stewart Maxwell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-313 on 7 June 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Homelessness

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the legislation in relation to homelessness.

Mr Stewart Maxwell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-1133 on 26 June 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Housing

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its top objectives are for housing policy.

Stewart Maxwell: Our immediate housing priorities were set out in the Parliamentary debate on housing on 21 June 2007. It is clear that Scotland needs many more homes of the right type, built in the right places as well as housing solutions which work, which respond to communities needs and which improve the value that we get for public expenditure on housing. The Housing Supply Task Force, our commitment to create the Scottish Housing Support Fund and the forthcoming consultation on Social Housing are all part of the early action the Government is taking in response to these priorities.

Housing

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what funding has been made available for new rented and affordable housing in the last three years in the Clydebank and Milngavie parliamentary constituency.

Stewart Maxwell: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:

  The information requested is given in the following table:

  

Area
2004-05 
  (£ Million)
2005-06
  (£ Million)
2006-07
(£ Million)
Total


Clydebank
3.882
0.646
0.129
4.595


Milngavie
0.045
0.000
0.169
0.214


Total
3.927
0.646
0.298
4.809

Housing

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to address a shortfall in investment in rented and affordable housing in East Dunbartonshire.

Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Government fully acknowledges the need for a comprehensive and strategic investment programme to address the requirement for more affordable housing in East Dunbartonshire.

  Communities Scotland will invest approximately £6 million in 2007-08 in East Dunbartonshire which is the highest amount of investment in recent years and will provide 80 new homes in the area.

  Communities Scotland is also working closely with the council and housing associations, through the Strategic Housing investment Plan process, to identify a five year programme to meet housing need identified within the Local Housing Strategy. A major factor in this approach will be to secure a flow of land and additional funding (through commuted sums) from private developers through the council’s affordable housing planning policy.

Housing

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to address a shortfall in investment in rented and affordable housing in West Dunbartonshire.

Stewart Maxwell: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:

  Communities Scotland is working closely with West Dunbartonshire Council to develop a five year programme of housing investment to meet local priorities as identified through the Local Housing Strategy process.

  This will be further strengthened as the council develops its Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) in partnership with local stakeholders in the development process.

Housing

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much additional investment is required in West Dunbartonshire over the next seven years to ensure that its housing stock meets the Scottish Housing Quality Standard by 2015.

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the current level of financial support to West Dunbartonshire, if maintained over the next seven years, would enable the council and other registered social landlords to meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard by 2015.

Stewart Maxwell: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:

  The level of investment that West Dunbartonshire Council needs to make to achieve the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS), and how this will be funded, will be set out in the Council’s standard delivery plan for achieving the standard. We expect that the plan will be ready in December 2007 for submission once preparatory studies have been completed by the council. All Standard Delivery Plans are required to be assessed by Communities Scotland by March 2008.

  Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) in West Dunbartonshire intend to invest approximately £8.4 million in achieving the SHQS. This is based on information provided in standard delivery plans, self assessments and estimates of spend by national RSLs operating in the area.

  Since the SHQS was introduced in 2004 it has been, and it continues to be, for RSLs to determine how best to use their resources to fund the investment required to meet the SHQS.

Housing

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that significant investment in new or replacement housing stock is required to meet an identified need for affordable and rented accommodation in the Clydebank and Milngavie parliamentary constituency and whether discussions have been held with the relevant authorities on the level of such investment.

Stewart Maxwell: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:

  The Local Housing Strategies prepared by East Dunbartonshire Council and West Dunbartonshire Council indicate a requirement for investment in both Milngavie and Clydebank for affordable housing for rent and sale. A good working partnership exists between both local authorities and Communities Scotland which has resulted in five year Investment programmes identifying investment priorities within the parliamentary constituency. The recently introduced Strategic Housing Investment Plan process will refine this approach and focus resources more effectively on meeting local housing needs in both towns.

Housing

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what additional resources have been made available for investment in housing in Dundee and West Dunbartonshire to reflect their status as the second and third most deprived areas of Scotland.

Stewart Maxwell: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:

  Communities Scotland works closely with local authorities to develop a programme of housing investment to meet local priorities as identified through the Local Housing Strategy (LHS) process. This will be further strengthened as councils develop their Strategic Housing Investment Plan in partnership with local stakeholders.

  Historic and current housing investment in Dundee and West Dunbartonshire through the Affordable Housing Investment Programme is shown in the table below:

  

Area
2004-05
  (£ Million)
2005-06
(£ Million)
2006-07
(£ Million)
2007- 08 (target)
  (£ Million)


Dundee
9.770
10.559
11.833
10.000


West Dunbartonshire
9.008
6.950
8.751
10.350



  Further resources have been made available to help these local authorities through the Vacant and Derelict Land Fund to be made available over 2006-07 and 2007-08. This amounts to £4 million in Dundee (following a previous £4 million allocation in 2005-06) and £2 million in West Dunbartonshire.

  Housing Estate Regeneration Fund monies totalling £3.4 million have also been approved for the period 2005-06 to 2007-08 to assist Dundee City Council bringing forward regeneration priorities within the city. The council will use this funding to support the demolition and removal of surplus unwanted housing within priority areas of Dundee.

  Funding of £2.084 million in Dundee and £0.891 million in West Dunbartonshire has been made available through Private Sector Housing Grant in 2007-08 to support improvements in private sector housing. This will support ministerial targets along with those priorities identified through the LHS.

Housing

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what account is taken of deprivation and poor health in the allocation of resources for new rented and affordable housing and how Dundee and West Dunbartonshire, as the second and third most deprived areas of Scotland, will benefit in the allocation of new funding.

Stewart Maxwell: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:

  The allocation of the Affordable Housing Investment Programme in 2007-08 at local authority level was announced in March 2007 by the previous administration. The allocations reflected Local Housing Strategy priorities and also capacity to deliver programmes. The allocation allowed for increased investment in both areas of housing shortage and areas of high deprivation requiring regeneration.

  Future allocations of funding for new rented and affordable housing will be considered after the outcome of the current spending review is determined.

Housing

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive why significant investment for housing refurbishment and regeneration is not being made available to residents of Clydebank, given that such investment is being provided to neighbouring areas in Glasgow, and what steps the Executive is taking to address the issue.

Stewart Maxwell: I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:

  Housing refurbishment in Glasgow is mainly as a result of Glasgow Housing Association Ltd’s work towards bringing its stock up to the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS).

  Communities Scotland requires West Dunbartonshire Council to develop its standard delivery plan, demonstrating how it will ensure that all of its stock meets the SHQS, following ministers’ rejection of the council’s application to pursue partial stock transfer in December 2006. It has always been for councils and Registered Social Landlords to determine how best to fund the investment required to meet the Standard by 2015.

  In terms of regeneration, Communities Scotland is planning to increase the level of housing investment in Clydebank, but the supply of land is a critical factor in this. Difficulties in securing land has been a significant inhibiting factor in securing additional investment in the town over the last few years. Communities Scotland will continue to work with the council and local partners to resolve these difficulties.

Housing

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers urgent additional housing investment in Clydebank to be critical to meeting its healthier, wealthier and fairer objectives in that area.

Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Government considers housing investment in Clydebank to be essential as part of a comprehensive package of measures towards the physical, social and economic regeneration of the area.

  Communities Scotland is planning to increase the level of housing investment in Clydebank, but the supply of land is a critical factor to release additional funds. Difficulties in securing land has been a significant inhibiting factor over the last few years in securing additional investment in the town. Communities Scotland will continue to work with the council and local partners to resolve these difficulties.

Housing

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many affordable homes it estimates will be required in each of the next four years in (a) Fife and (b) Scotland.

Stewart Maxwell: Local authorities are required to assess the extent and nature of housing need in their areas as part of their Local Housing Strategy and Development Planning processes. The government is currently conducting an exercise which is seeking to gain a consistent picture from local authorities of their assessments of affordable housing need for their areas, and the evidence which supports this.

  A major piece of research on housing need was conducted for the Scottish government by Professor Glen Bramley and published in November 2006. This contains analysis of housing need by local authority area, and at national level. Although the analysis does not examine projected need in each of the next four years, it contains projections for 2005, 2006, and at five year intervals thereafter. Further information can be found at:http://www.communitiesscotland.gov.uk/stellent/groups/public/documents/webpages/cs_016551.pdf.

Housing

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many affordable homes are planned to be built in each of the next four years in (a) Fife and (b) Scotland.

Stewart Maxwell: As part of its current Strategic Spending Review, the government is considering future investment requirements for affordable housing. Figures relating to plans for affordable housing provision in future years will not be known until the conclusion of the Spending Review later this year.

Housing

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the proposed Housing Support Fund will assist all first-time buyers or a specific group.

Stewart Maxwell: The government’s intention behind the work to create a Scottish Housing Support Fund, which I announced during the housing debate in Parliament on 21 June 2007, is to attract private investment to enable additional help to be provided for a wide range of people who struggle to afford a first home of their own. The targeting of assistance to first-time buyers will be informed by the outcome of the current spending review and subsequent discussions with private sector lenders and investors.

Housing

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how current housing policies will allow the creation of sustainable mixed communities.

Stewart Maxwell: A housing supply comprising a mix of different tenures that meets the housing needs of a range of households is one of the many conditions required to create sustainable mixed communities. The Scottish Government’s forthcoming consultation on social housing will include proposals aimed at improving the integration of social housing and other tenures.

Housing

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many first-time house buyers there have been in each local authority area in each year since 1995.

Stewart Maxwell: The requested information is not held centrally.

Housing

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average age of first-time house buyers has been in each year since 1995.

Stewart Maxwell: Estimates of the median age of first-time buyers in Scotland are set out in the following table. These data are sourced from the Council of Mortgage Lenders. The notes to the tables explain the coverage of the estimates and the reasons for a possible break in comparability between 2004 and 2005, at which point the Regulated Mortgage Survey replaced the Survey of Mortgage Lenders.

  Mortgage lenders define first-time buyers as those whose names have not previously been on a mortgage contract. As such these figures include divorcees and others who have previously been owner-occupiers but have not been named mortgage holders.

  Median Age of First-Time Buyers taking out Loans for House Purchase – Scotland

  

Year
 


1995
31


1996
30


1996
31


1998
30


1999
30


2000
30


2001
30


2002
32


2003
33


2004
34



  Source: Survey of Mortgage Lenders (SML).

  Median Age of First-Time Buyers taking out Loans for House Purchase - Scotland

  

Year
 


2005
31


2006
28

Housing

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many properties it estimates have not been the primary residence of the owner in each local authority area in each year since 1995.

Stewart Maxwell: The following table provides estimates of the number of vacant dwellings and second homes by unitary local authority area from 1996, the year in which unitary local authorities were created. The footnotes to the table explain the derivation of the figures.

  Vacant Dwellings and Second Homes by Local Authority Area 1,2, September 1996-2006

  

Local Authority
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006


Scotland
91,251
85,749
88,142
91,714
99,854
104,003
106,463
106,312
104,668
101,734
101,445


Aberdeen City
6,403
3,564
3,647
4,208
4,858
5,304
5,443
5,550
5,259
5,574
4,840


Aberdeenshire
4,582
4,719
4,438
5,040
5,184
5,508
5,322
5,222
4,931
4,681
4,766


Angus
2,169
2,256
2,386
2,572
2,581
2,813
2,876
2,857
2,808
2,756
2,653


Argyll and Bute
3,816
4,176
5,507
4,653
5,794
5,955
5,960
5,402
5,442
5,042
5,085


Clackmannanshire
609
472
554
576
664
671
774
677
735
794
789


Dumfries and Galloway
2,767
3,006
3,292
3,244
3,508
3,753
3,693
3,384
3,484
3,331
3,757


Dundee City
4,443
4,580
4,611
4,646
5,431
5,631
5,507
5,671
5,163
4,822
5,159


East Ayrshire
836
921
917
1,193
1,372
1,437
1,571
1,390
1,267
1,286
1,161


East Dunbartonshire
500
438
520
451
404
410
445
475
482
547
437


East Lothian
1,115
1,067
1,044
1,052
1,109
1,220
1,175
1,342
1,323
1,419
1,386


East Renfrewshire
527
558
799
304
595
636
846
763
907
883
931


Edinburgh, City of
11,897
7,542
6,999
7,470
8,616
8,596
9,020
8,803
9,465
8,734
9,633


Eilean Siar
1,593
1,627
1,705
1,809
1,866
1,865
2,014
2,002
1,985
1,866
1,838


Falkirk
1,918
1,750
1,081
1,170
1,433
1,525
1,445
1,637
1,570
2,069
1,808


Fife
5,705
5,460
5,593
5,657
6,307
6,655
6,801
7,252
7,474
7,122
7,607


Glasgow City3
10,395
10,395
10,395
10,395
10,395
10,395
10,395
10,395
10,395
10,395
10,395


Highland
8,370
8,839
8,680
8,587
9,102
9,419
9,631
9,673
9,819
9,444
9,279


Inverclyde
1,402
1,200
1,678
2,046
2,342
2,111
2,447
2,561
2,612
2,368
2,120


Midlothian
545
595
573
574
477
487
480
510
534
522
560


Moray
1,890
2,289
2,100
2,261
2,382
2,367
2,241
2,278
2,116
2,021
1,933


North Ayrshire
1,928
2,100
2,433
2,448
2,686
2,674
3,675
4,695
3,056
2,897
2,875


North Lanarkshire
1,699
1,899
3,393
3,725
3,503
3,162
2,679
2,350
2,184
2,266
2,316


Orkney Isles
926
1,064
1,115
1,192
1,274
1,368
1,406
1,406
846
785
810


Perth and Kinross
3,826
3,642
3,575
3,536
3,763
4,125
4,178
4,030
4,018
3,817
3,393


Renfrewshire
1,732
1,647
1,690
2,461
3,523
4,410
3,672
2,891
3,281
2,909
2,733


Scottish Borders
2,956
3,051
2,897
3,124
3,129
3,402
3,344
3,350
3,285
3,263
3,408


Shetland
677
757
786
839
881
839
884
844
837
768
773


South Ayrshire
1,129
1,116
1,151
1,270
1,262
1,449
1,641
1,570
1,645
1,534
1,679


South Lanarkshire
1,544
1,845
1,884
1,804
1,929
1,997
2,703
3,247
3,605
3,500
3,147


Stirling
1,457
1,393
1,358
1,376
1,445
1,680
1,601
1,486
1,608
1,648
1,594


West Dunbartonshire
760
648
582
1,335
1,193
1,182
1,605
1,675
1,596
1,508
1,304


West Lothian
1,135
1,133
759
696
846
957
989
924
936
1,163
1,276



  Notes:

  1. Figures include:

  - Unoccupied dwellings that are exempt from council tax.

  - Dwellings subject to second home or long-term empty property discount (including holiday homes and self-catering accommodation available to let for less than 140 days per year).

  - A small number of dwellings occupied entirely by adults who are ‘disregarded’ for the purpose of paying council tax, such as adults who are severely mentally impaired.

  2. The figures recorded may fluctuate for two main reasons:

  - Self-catering holiday accommodation available to let for less than 140 days per year will be included. If it is let for more than this, it will be included on the non-domestic rates valuation roll instead.

  - There can be delays in the information on council tax systems being updated, or councils may amend the information held on their systems.

  This is most likely to lead to fluctuations in areas with high turnover, or high levels of vacancies or second homes.

  Comparable figures are not available prior to 1996.

  3. In 2006, Glasgow City Council Financial Services moved to a new software system for council tax. This has resulted in a lack of consistency between the figures on the number of dwellings entitled to discounts and exemptions for 2006, and the figures for earlier years. In order to overcome this problem, the number of discounts and exemptions in 1996-2005 were adjusted to be equal to the figures for 2006. This is in line with other available data, which show little change in the number of vacancies in Glasgow in 2001-06.

  Source: GROS household estimates: http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/publications-and-data/household-estimates-statistics/household-estimates-for-scotland-2006/index.html.

Housing

Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of the remit and focused plan of action of the proposed housing supply task force.

Stewart Maxwell: The Housing Supply Task Force will be charged with tackling the obstacles, such as land supply and planning issues that have been hampering the delivery of more housing of all types. I expect it to challenge the way things are done so that more homes are built where we need them. An action plan for the task force’s work will be agreed at the first meeting which is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 29 August 2007.

Housing

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it proposes to take to support the City of Edinburgh Council in tackling its £260 million housing debt.

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it proposes to take to support Renfrewshire Council in tackling its £145 million housing debt.

Stewart Maxwell: Decisions on whether to borrow and how to manage their housing income, expenditure and debt are matters for councils themselves, with regard to the Prudential Code.

International Relations

Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many cities, towns and communities in Scotland have twinning arrangements with similar communities in other countries.

Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what support it makes available to cities, towns and communities that are considering entering into twinning arrangements with similar communities in other countries.

John Swinney: The Executive has no role or locus on twinning arrangements and keeps no records of these. Decisions on setting up and supporting twinning links are matters for individual local authorities and communities to consider and implement as they see fit. The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) does hold some information on twinning links reported to them and can be contacted for details of these.

Planning

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether designated ancient woodland areas within settlements and proposed development areas should be marked on national park and local authority plans at all stages of the consultation process and on the final plan.

Stewart Stevenson: National Planning Policy Guideline 11: Natural Heritage (NPPG 14) states that planning authorities should seek to protect trees, groups of trees and areas of woodland where they have natural heritage value or contribute to the character or amenity of a particular locality. Ancient and semi-natural woodlands are recognised as having the greatest value for nature conservation. This should be reflected in local plans.

Planning

John Lamont (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will draw up a locational strategy and accompanying planning guidance for onshore wind development for local authorities, investors and third parties to expedite the decision-making process.

Stewart Stevenson: The government believes that Scottish Planning Policy (SPP)6 – Renewable Energy provides a sound national policy context for addressing onshore wind development. We want to see the SPP’s provisions taken forward urgently, with local authorities engaging with communities and other parties in the preparation of locational strategies in the form of supplementary planning guidance. These local frameworks should provide greater certainty for developers and local communities and speed up the decision making process. We see this approach as striking the right balance between national and local responsibilities.

  It is likely that authorities will have to review and update their existing policy and we believe there is also scope for authorities to work collaboratively. To assist the authorities at a time when they are addressing the challenges of delivering a modernised planning system, we shall make available a source of expert advice and issue national guidance on the preparation of the supplementary planning guidance. The chief planner will therefore be writing to planning authorities in the near future.

  SPP6 states in its opening paragraphs the energy policy target of 40% of electricity generated from renewable sources by 2020 and notes that this is not a cap. This government has ambitions for a balanced approach to renewable energy encompassing a range of measures which extend beyond that. The SPP6 provides for a planned approach to delivering the target through setting the overall policy for preparing spatial frameworks, including the safeguarding of areas designated for their national and international natural heritage value and greenbelts. It gives a clear role to local authorities and national park authorities in relation to local interests and designated areas, in the identification of broad areas of search and in setting policy criteria which accord with the SPP.

Public Appointments

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list all public appointments for each year since May 2003, also indicating which appointments fall within the remit of the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland or are covered by the commissioner’s code of practice.

John Swinney: The information is not available on an annual basis.

  The previous Scottish Executive last published annual information on regulated public appointments in February 2003. The Annual Report on Appointments to Non-Departmental Public Bodies in Scotland listed all appointees on the boards of regulated public bodies as at 1 December 2002. A copy of this report is available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 26734). Since then, both the Executive and the current Scottish Government have provided current details of all regulated ministerial public appointments on its Public Appointments website at

  www.scotland.gov.uk/topics/government/public-bodies.

  The website is updated as appointments are made or come to an end. It provides details of all current regulated appointments.

  Information about non-regulated appointments is not held centrally.

Regeneration

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its top objectives are for regeneration policy.

Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Government’s principal objective for regeneration policy is to promote the successful and sustainable transformation of communities across Scotland by creating the right environment for private and public investment; through targeted action in the most disadvantaged communities, and by devolving power to the local level.

Regeneration

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much brownfield site it estimates is available for (a) residential and (b) other development in each city and each of the five formerly designated new towns.

Stewart Maxwell: Brownfield land is defined in Scottish Planning Policy 3 (SPP3 ) as land which has previously been developed. The Scottish Government does not hold centrally information on the quantity of brownfield land within cities and new towns.

  A significant proportion of brownfield land comprises land designated as vacant or derelict. Information regarding vacant and derelict land is collected by the government and published annually in the voluntary Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey (SVDLS), and can be seen as an indicator of the approximate amount of brownfield land in Scotland’s cities and new towns.

  Information on the number of vacant and derelict sites and the amount of vacant and derelict land within those settlements requested is set out in the following tables. It is for local authorities to designate preferred uses for vacant and derelict land.

  Number of Vacant and Derelict Sites in Cities and New Towns (2006)1-6

  

Name of Settlement
Total Vacant and Derelict Sites
- of which Residential Development the Primary Preferred Use
- of which Non-Residential Development the Primary Preferred Use


Aberdeen 
30
9
21


Cumbernauld
33
1
32


Dundee 
202
110
92


East Kilbride 
13
0
13


Edinburgh 
51
19
32


Glasgow 
824
515
309


Glenrothes
15
3
12


Inverness 
23
1
22


Irvine 
41
6
35


Livingston 
4
0
4


Stirling 
22
3
19



  Amount of Vacant and Derelict Land in Cities and New Towns (2006)1-6

  

Name of Settlement
Total Vacant and Derelict Land (Hectares)
- of which Residential Development the Primary Preferred Use
- of which Non-Residential Development the Primary Preferred Use


Aberdeen 
56
26
30


Cumbernauld
77
1
77


Dundee 
207
59
148


East Kilbride 
13
0
13


Edinburgh 
125
58
67


Glasgow 
1,100
554
546


Glenrothes
22
9
13


Inverness 
89
0
89


Irvine 
87
19
67


Livingston 
38
0
38


Stirling 
75
6
69



  Notes:

  1. A City/New Town boundary is based on those postcodes identified by General Register of Scotland (GROS) as belonging to that particular settlement within their 2004 small area population estimates. Those boundaries will not necessarily be the same as those maintained by Scotland’s Planning Authorities.

  2. Figures may not sum due to rounding.

  3. Local Authorities are asked to identify up to three preferred or intended uses for each site within the SVDLS. The tables above split those sites into those which have residential development identified as the first preferred use and those which have non-residential development identified as the first preferred use.

  4. The information for Glasgow refers only to those parts of the Glasgow settlement that are within Glasgow City council boundaries.

  Further information from the 2006 survey can be viewed on the Scottish Executive website at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/01/30094119/0.

Roads

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what contribution is estimated to be made by (a) Aberdeen City Council and (2) Aberdeenshire Council towards the cost of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route and how each contribution has been calculated.

Stewart Stevenson: Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council will contribute 9.5% each to the cost of the construction of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route. The cost of constructing the Fastlink to Stonehaven and the maintenance of the entire scheme will be met by the Scottish Government.

  The contributions of Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils to the cost of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route were agreed in 2003 when it was agreed that the scheme would be taken forward in partnership. The percentage contributions were attributed to the local and strategic elements of the road.

Roads

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation has been undertaken by (a) Aberdeen City Council and (2) Aberdeenshire Council in respect of the anticipated costs to local council taxpayers of each council’s contribution towards the cost of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route and what figures for the cost of the project and the level of contribution were included in the consultation.

Stewart Stevenson: This is a matter for Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council.

Roads

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what estimated construction cost per kilometre was used in the 2002 estimate of £120 million for the preferred route of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.

Stewart Stevenson: The estimate was not made on a cost per kilometre basis.

Roads

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what estimated construction cost per kilometre was used in the 2005 estimate of £210 million for the preferred route of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.

Stewart Stevenson: The scheme cost estimate in 2005 for the then preferred alignment was in the range £210 million to £280 million. The estimate was not made on a cost per kilometre basis.

Roads

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what estimated construction cost per kilometre was used in the December 2005 estimate of £295 to £395 million for the longer option for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route combined with a Stonehaven to Maryculter spur.

Stewart Stevenson: The estimate was not made on a cost per kilometre basis.

Roads

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that a reasonable estimate of the proportion of the costs of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route attributable to the Stonehaven Fastlink would be the length of the fastlink as a proportion of the length of the overall route, giving a range of 11.5/46 or between £73.57 million and £98.75 million and, if not, what it considers would be a reasonable formula for assessing the proportionate cost of this additional section.

Stewart Stevenson: No. It is not appropriate to attribute costs to the Fastlink or any other individual section of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) in such a way as the cost will be affected by factors such as the number of bridges, complexity of drainage, amount of earthworks involved, cost of compensation for land and the like.

  I also refer the member to the answer to question S3W-1812 on 17 July 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Roads

Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive under what circumstances a local authority can completely close a road for repair, maintenance or resurfacing work.

Stewart Stevenson: Local road authorities have a duty under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 to manage and maintain public roads in their area. To carry out this duty, they also have powers under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to promote Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (TTRO) to close roads to carry out repair, maintenance or resurfacing work. The restrictions imposed by the TTRO is entirely a matter for the local road authority and Scottish ministers have no powers to intervene.

Schools

Tom McCabe (Hamilton South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to continue with the replacement of St Anne’s Primary School in Hamilton.

Tom McCabe (Hamilton South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to continue with the replacement of St Blane’s Primary School in Blantyre.

Tom McCabe (Hamilton South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to continue with the replacement of St Ninian’s Primary School in Hamilton.

Tom McCabe (Hamilton South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to continue with the refurbishment of Auchinraith Primary School in Blantyre.

Tom McCabe (Hamilton South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to continue with the replacement of Townhill Primary School in Hamilton.

Tom McCabe (Hamilton South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to continue with the refurbishment of St Mark’s Primary School in Hamilton.

Tom McCabe (Hamilton South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to continue with the refurbishment of David Livingstone Memorial Primary School in Blantyre.

Tom McCabe (Hamilton South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to continue with the replacement of Woodhead Primary School in Hamilton.

Tom McCabe (Hamilton South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to continue with the replacement of Udston Primary School in Hamilton.

Tom McCabe (Hamilton South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to continue with the refurbishment of Quarter Primary School in Quarter.

Maureen Watt: This is a decision for South Lanarkshire Council which has a statutory responsibility to provide and maintain school buildings.

Schools

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to proceed with previously agreed PPP schemes for new schools in West Dunbartonshire referred to in the 2007-08 spending proposals of the previous administration and, if not, how it will provide the new school facilities promised to the people of West Dunbartonshire and other local authorities with similar proposals already in place.

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will proceed with the rebuilding of the Dumbarton and Vale of Leven academies under the previously agreed PPP scheme.

John Swinney: We said before the elections that PPP could continue as one of several delivery options open to public sector bodies. These are complex procurements involving high procurement costs for both public and private sector participants. Some procurements have been in process for many months, and we do not wish to incur even higher costs and possibly delay key investments in infrastructure. West Dunbartonshire Council’s schools project is making good progress and we will continue to discuss progress on the project with West Dunbartonshire Council.

Schools

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it anticipates any delay in proceeding with new school buildings to be financed under PPP schemes.

John Swinney: The Government has quickly confirmed that we will honour existing offers of financial support for school PPP projects. As a result, we do not anticipate any delays.

Schools

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the proposed timetable is for the completion of new school buildings to be financed under PPP schemes.

John Swinney: The timetable (actual and estimated) for the completion of new school buildings under PPP schemes can be found on the Scottish Executive Financial Partnerships Unit’s website at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/Finance/18232/futuredeals for those schools PPP projects in procurement

  and at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/Finance/18232/donedeals for those schools PPP projects which have reached financial close.

Schools

Hugh O'Donnell (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-1562 by Stewart Stevenson on 12 July 2007, what the operational procedure is regarding zig-zagged yellow lines around schools.

Stewart Stevenson: To be legally enforceable, "zig-zagged yellow lines" around schools must have road markings and road signs in accordance with the provisions of the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions and be supported by a Traffic Regulation Order in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. This is entirely a matter for the appropriate road authority.

  As I indicated in the response to answer to question S3W-1562 on 12 July 2007, enforcement would be an operational matter for the police or for local authority parking attendants in areas where decriminalised parking enforcement has been introduced.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Scottish Enterprise

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many Business Gateway centres are scheduled for closure, broken down by local enterprise company area.

Jim Mather: This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. I will ask its Chief Executive to write to you in response to this question.

Scottish Enterprise

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether Business Gateway centres are likely to close as part of its plans to reduce the size of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Jim Mather: This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. I will ask its Chief Executive to write to you in response to this question.

Scottish Enterprise

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is proposing to cut the funding of (a) Scottish Enterprise and (b) Highlands and Islands Enterprise and, if so, what impact it estimates that this will have on the Business Gateway service.

Jim Mather: Funding to the Enterprise Networks for 2008-11 will be determined after the spending review this autumn. Thereafter the allocation of funds within the Enterprise Networks will remain an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Scottish Enterprise

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to restructure Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Jim Mather: Our prime objective is to increase the rate of Scottish economic growth and to ensure that this is sustainable. As a component part of this we want to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the delivery of economic development activity and we are looking at how the enterprise networks, including Highlands and Islands Enterprise, can contribute to that. The results of this work once completed will be announced in due course.

Scottish Enterprise

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to streamline the operations of Scottish Enterprise.

Jim Mather: Our prime objective is to increase the rate of Scottish economic growth and to ensure that this is sustainable. As a component part of this we want to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the delivery of economic development activity and we are looking at how Scottish Enterprise can contribute to that. The results of this work once completed will be announced in due course.

Scottish Executive Staff

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-2020 by John Swinney on 23 July 2007, what departments the 381 staff on loan to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority normally work in and how much the Home Office is paying for the loan of these staff.

John Swinney: The costs charged to the Home Office for the Scottish Government employees working at the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) are as follows:

  2001-02 - £6,389,925.64

  2002-03 - £6,988,188.22

  2003-04 - £7,402,028.52

  2004-05 - £6,511,248.31

  2005-06 - £6,811,804.67

  2006-07 - £7,795,202.94.

  The above costs cover salaries, NiCs and employers pension contributions.

  The Scottish Government staff working at the CICA are assigned to the agency. They can, however, elect to transfer to core areas of the Scottish Executive or to its Executive Agencies for career development reasons or when promotion opportunities arise.

Scottish Legal Complaints Commission

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive why Edinburgh was considered the best location for the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission.

John Swinney: Following an options appraisal of the locations identified from the Stage 1 location review, Edinburgh was determined as the most suitable location for the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission, with reference to the retention of existing staff transferring from the Law Society of Scotland and the office of the Scottish Legal Services Ombudsman; accessibility and the potential for shared services and accommodation with other public bodies.

Scottish Legal Complaints Commission

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration was given to Walkerburn, Innerleithen and Selkirk as the location of the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission.

John Swinney: The Stage 1 location review for the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission, published in January 2007, ranked the Scottish Borders 26 out of 32 local authorities as a potential location for the Commission. Scottish Borders locations were not, therefore, included within the final options appraisal for this location decision.

  A copy of the Stage 1 review report is available on the Scottish Executive website at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/Relocation/legal/Q/EditMode/on/ForceUpdate/on.

Scottish Legal Complaints Commission

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what communication it had with Scottish Enterprise Borders and Scottish Borders Council in advance of its decision on the location of the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission.

John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-2949 on 14 August 2007. All local authorities were advised, through a regular relocation update, of the outcome of the Stage 1 location review for the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission, published in January 2007. As the Scottish Borders was not one of the locations short-listed following the Stage 1 review, no further direct communication was made with the council about the final location decision. All the short-listed local authorities were contacted and advised of the final decision.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Scottish Legal Complaints Commission

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it gave to the priority areas included in its relocation policy location opportunities list during its decision on the location of the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission.

John Swinney: As part of the review process for the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission, consideration was given to priority locations within each of the local authority areas identified from the outcome of the stage 1 location review, published in January 2007.

Scottish Water

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how the non-executive board members of Scottish Water are appointed and what period of time each appointment covers.

Stewart Stevenson: Scottish Water’s Board members were appointed by ministers in 2002 after a widely advertised recruitment campaign under rules laid down for public appointments by the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland (OCPAS). Current members were re-appointed for second terms of three years, again in accordance with OCPAS rules. Current membership and terms of appointment are given in the following table:

  

Name
Position
Start Date
End Date


Mr Ronnie Mercer
Interim ChairChair
18 April 2006
30 September 2007


Mr Ian McMillan
Member 
1 October 2007
30 September 2011


Mr Graeme Crombie
Member 
1 April 2006
31 March 2009


Mr David Gray
Member 
1 April 2006
31 March 2009


Professor Paul Jowitt
Member 
1 April 2005
31 March 2008


Ms Rita Theil
Member 
1 April 2005
31 March 2008


Mr Pat Kelly
Member 
1 April 2006
31 March 2009

Shipping

Alex Johnstone (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to encourage private sector growth within the Scottish shipping services market.

Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government would be willing to consider any proposals from the private sector shipping industry that would promote growth in the sector.

Social Enterprise

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what it considers the role and value of social enterprise is to society and the economy.

John Swinney: Social enterprise can combine trading and business skills with social, community and environmental aims to make a real contribution to the purpose and five strategic objectives of the Scottish Government and we are committed to helping the sector reach its potential in Scotland.

Social Enterprise

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of Scottish GDP is generated by social enterprises.

John Swinney: It has been estimated that social enterprises in Scotland contribute around £600 million to GDP, but we currently do not have more precise figures. Research we will do as part of Better business – a strategy and action plan for social enterprise in Scotland , a copy of which is available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 42840), will help clarify this further.

Social Enterprise

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what support it gives to the social enterprise sector.

John Swinney: Our current framework for support to the social enterprise sector is contained in Better business – a strategy and action plan for social enterprise in Scotland (Bib. number 42840) which highlights the important contribution a social enterprise business model can make to life in Scotland. It also contains a £1.5 million action plan for 2007-08 intended to grow and develop social enterprise. We intend to build on the foundation of this strategy in considering the need for further support as part of the forthcoming spending review.

Sport

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to develop national and regional sports facilities throughout Scotland.

Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Government is currently considering next steps with regard to the National and Regional Sports Facilities Strategy. We are disappointed with the slow progress to date and are in discussion with sportscotland regarding options to ensure the delivery commitment to the ten previously identified applications. We are committed to delivering world class sporting facilities in Scotland.

Sport

Alasdair Allan (Western Isles) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what benefits the London Olympics will have for the Western Isles constituency.

Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Government is working with various sectors across Scotland to ensure they are aware of the possibilities and opportunities available to individuals, communities, groups, and businesses from the London 2012 Games.

  The 2012 Games will offer some opportunities for some businesses across Scotland to supply goods or provide services.

  No specific benefits to the Western Isles constituency beyond the general ones outlined above have been identified.

Sports Funding

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-2254 by Stewart Maxwell on 1 August 2007, what three projects in the Lothians will benefit from the £17 million allocated as part of the National and Regional Sports Facilities Strategy; what discussions it has had with the City of Edinburgh Council regarding each project; what the current status of each project is, and what action the Executive and sportscotland will take to ensure that these projects are delivered.

Stewart Maxwell: Under current plans within the National and Regional Sports Facilities Strategy, the projects at Sighthill Park, the Royal Commonwealth Pool and Hunters Hall will benefit from the £17 million allocation.

  Sportscotland meet with the City of Edinburgh District Council on a weekly basis to discuss the progress of all three projects.

  The Scottish Government has asked sportscotland to initiate a review of the 10 projects which come under the strategy and provide ministers with the latest information on the current status of each project.

  The Scottish Government and sportscotland will continue to meet with the City of Edinburgh Council to take forward the delivery of these projects.

Sports Funding

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-2255 by Stewart Maxwell on 1 August 2007, whether it has discussed the anticipated funding method for the proposed upgrade of the Royal Commonwealth Pool with the City of Edinburgh Council.

Stewart Maxwell: Officials have met with City of Edinburgh Council and discussed the funding for the Royal Commonwealth Pool. Further discussion will place when the outcome of the working group reviewing the sale of Meadowbank is known and revised build costs for the pool have been submitted.

Substance Misuse

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to publish a training strategy for substance misuse services in Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon: The Alcohol and Drugs Workforce Development Strategy Steering Group, chaired by NHS Health Scotland, was set up last year by the Scottish Executive to develop a co-ordinated national drugs and alcohol workforce development strategy and effective implementation plan for the strategy. It is intended that the strategy will be developed by late 2008 with an implementation plan in place by spring 2009.

Transport

John Lamont (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering any measures to encourage higher occupancy of private vehicles, such as the use of lane preference and variable charging systems.

Stewart Stevenson: Powers exist in the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 for local authorities to come forward with proposals for variable charging systems on local roads. There are no proposals in Scotland at present.

  Transport Scotland is examining the feasibility of introducing demand management measures on congested sections of the Central Scotland motorway and trunk road network, working with local authorities and Regional Transport Partnerships.

Transport

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-387 by Stewart Stevenson on 11 June 2007, what the current timetable is for consideration of each submitted regional transport strategy.

Stewart Stevenson: I am currently examining the Regional Transport Strategies in detail. They are complex documents that deserve careful consideration. It is my intention to complete that consideration before Parliament resumes.

Transport

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-387 by Stewart Stevenson on 11 June 2007, which regional transport strategies were approved or returned within the three-month period stated in Scotland’s Transport Future: Guidance on Regional Transport Strategies.

Stewart Stevenson: None was approved or returned within three months. I am currently examining the Regional Transport Strategies . They are complex documents that deserve careful consideration. It is my intention to complete that consideration before Parliament resumes.

Transport

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish its response to each regional transport strategy currently under consideration.

Stewart Stevenson: Yes. The Scottish Government response to each Regional Transport Strategy  will be published on the Executive website. It will be a matter for each individual Regional Transport Partnership to decide whether and how to publish the response it receives.

Transport

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when the decision was taken to build a new pier at Dunoon.

Stewart Stevenson: Dunoon Pier is owned by Argyll and Bute Council and the council was responsible for the improvement works at the pier. The Scottish Executive’s role was as a funder. There were two awards of Scottish Executive funding in relation to the project. The first, involving £2.5 million from the then Public Transport Fund, was announced in October 2001 and was for a breakwater. The second, involving £2 million from the Integrated Transport Fund, was announced in August 2003 and was for a new linkspan.

Transport

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive why the new pier at Dunoon was constructed to facilitate vehicle as well as passenger traffic.

Stewart Stevenson: I understand that a new linkspan was constructed to keep open the possibility of a vehicle service operating from Dunoon Pier. The original linkspan is designed for side-loading which significantly restricts the range of vehicle carrying vessels that can use the pier. In addition, it is an old structure which has a finite remaining life.

Transport

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the new pier at Dunoon is used for vehicle traffic and, if so, what volume of vehicles it serves.

Stewart Stevenson: I understand that the new linkspan is not at present used for vehicle traffic.

Transport

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of providing the new pier at Dunoon.

Stewart Stevenson: The total cost of the new breakwater and linkspan at Dunoon Pier was £5.2 million.

Transport

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost would have been of providing the new pier at Dunoon designed only for the use of foot passengers and whether a variety of design specifications was considered and costed.

Stewart Stevenson: A range of design options was considered and costed for the project at Dunoon Pier. However, in view of the intention to keep open the possibility of a vehicle service a passenger only option was not considered. The breakwater was intended to protect the Victorian Grade 2 listed timber pier and would have been required even if a linkspan had not been constructed.

Transport

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive which ministers took the decision to build a new pier at Dunoon.

Stewart Stevenson: The new administration does not have access to papers relating to the decision making processes employed by its predecessor. However, it is a matter of public record that the decision on funding for the breakwater was announced on 22 October 2001 by the then Minister for Transport, Sarah Boyack MSP, and that the decision on funding for the linkspan was announced on 27 August 2003 by the then Minister for Transport, Nicol Stephen MSP.

Transport

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions took place with (a) Caledonian MacBrayne and (b) Western Ferries regarding the need for a new pier at Dunoon and the specification for the facility.

Stewart Stevenson: Responsibility for the Dunoon Pier development rests with Argyll and Bute Council. I understand that there were full discussions between the council, the appointed consultant and the two principal ferry operators regarding the need for the new linkspan at Dunoon Pier. The linkspan was designed to accommodate a range of possible vessels, including those operated by both Caledonian MacBrayne and Western Ferries. Once the linkspan was built both companies undertook successful berthing trials of their vessels.

Transport

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions took place with (a) Caledonian MacBrayne and (b) Western Ferries regarding the need for a new rail-ferry interchange at Gourock.

Stewart Stevenson: There have been regular discussions over a long period of time between the Scottish Executive, Transport Scotland and a wide range of stakeholders regarding Gourock Transport Interchange. Caledonian MacBrayne has been consulted on the project as the work has progressed. Western Ferries has no direct interest in the development site. There have been no direct discussions with Western Ferries on the need for the Gourock Transport Interchange.

Transport

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether a new rail-ferry interchange at Gourock has been the subject of a STAG appraisal.

Stewart Stevenson: The Gourock Interchange project has not been appraised in accordance with the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG), as funding had been awarded before the guidance was formally introduced. An economic appraisal was completed in January 2006 and a detailed cost-benefit analysis is being undertaken to ensure the scheme provides value for money, taking account of current land values and the proposed wider development.

Transport

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the projected cost is of the proposed new rail-ferry interchange at Gourock.

Stewart Stevenson: A working group report in 2006 recommended that a budget of up to £20.5 million would be required to deliver the transport interchange at Gourock. The cost estimate is expected to be reduced during design development but as the further design and feasibility work has not been concluded, the estimate of up to £20.5 million continues to be used.

  A robust cost estimate will be provided by the end of 2007, which will inform an investment decision on implementation. The target is to deliver a new interchange in 2009.

Transport

Nicol Stephen (Aberdeen South) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has commissioned a study into road equivalent tariff.

Stewart Stevenson: During his visit to Stornoway on Monday 13 August 2007 the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth announced details of work targeted at delivering lower ferry fares for Scotland’s island communities. The first step will be a study to establish the most effective and sustainable structure for a Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) pilot scheme for setting ferry fares in Scotland. The benefits to islanders is a fundamental part of this study into RET.

  Details of the study are provided in the news release available at www.scotland.gov.uk.

Transport

Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it remains committed to providing the same level of financial support, agreed by the previous administration to secure the transport interchange at Gourock pierhead.

Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland is promoting delivery of the transport interchange at Gourock and is working closely with Network Rail, Inverclyde Council, SPT and other partners to progress the project.

  A funding package worth up to £20.5 million has been identified previously, which includes contributions from project partners, and is committed in principle. The funding includes up to £10 million from Transport Scotland to address cash flow issues on the project that will require to be re-paid.

Voluntary Organisations

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it still fully supports the principles of A Vision for the Voluntary sector: The Next Phase of Our Relationship .

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government is committed to supporting the third sector. We believe that the third sector has a major role to play in delivering our overarching purpose which is to focus government and public services on creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth. The government’s five strategic objectives underpin that purpose and we are keen to develop new partnerships and relationships with all sectors to help us achieve our aims for a more successful Scotland.

Voluntary Organisations

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the current funding arrangements provided by (a) it and its agencies and (b) local authorities to voluntary organisations have been for a period of less than three years.

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the total number of current funding arrangements provided by (a) it and its agencies and (b) local authorities to voluntary organisations are for a period of less than three years.

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what funding provided by (a) it and its agencies and (b) local authorities to voluntary organisations has been for a period of less than three years.

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of total funding provided by (a) it and its agencies and (b) local authorities to voluntary organisations has been for a period of less than three years.

Jim Mather: The information requested is not held centrally.

  We support the practice of three-year funding for the voluntary sector across the public sector and encourage the use of longer term funding arrangements, where possible, to provide a stable and efficient operating environment for the sector.

Voluntary Organisations

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to ensure that the £200,000 minimum eligible project costs for applications to the forthcoming round of European Structural Funds will not be prejudicial to voluntary organisations.

Jim Mather: I will write to you shortly on this issue, setting out in more detail an answer to your question.

Voluntary Organisations

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that best value is consistently applied by local authorities, particularly for voluntary organisations bidding to provide public services.

Jim Mather: The Local Government in Scotland Act (2003) introduced the statutory responsibility of best value for local authorities. To ensure that best value is consistently applied by local authorities Audit Scotland carries out an audit of best value and community planning of each local authority, normally on a three year cycle. All published audit reports are available from the Accounts Commission.

Voluntary Organisations

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has in respect of any financial consequentials from the announcement in the 2007 UK budget of a new £80 million community fund for small community groups.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government’s spending plans for the period 2008-11 will be announced in late autumn, when the strategic spending review is concluded.

Water Charges

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been raised through water rates in each year since 1995.

Stewart Stevenson: £ Million


1996-97
524.8


1997-98
548.6


1998-99
597.5


1999-2000
640.4


2000-01
753.8


2001-02
865.3


2002-03
894.2


2003-04
950.9


2004-05
932.1


2005-06
973



  The information is taken from the annual accounts published by Scottish Water and its predecessor organisations. Figures for 2006-07 have yet to be published. The local authorities were responsible for the water industry prior to 1996. The information sought from that time is not held centrally.

Water Charges

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the total amount of uncollected water rates has been in each year since 1995.

Stewart Stevenson: The questions raised are of an operational nature. I have therefore asked the Chief Executive of Scottish Water to reply. His response is:

  

Financial Year
£ Million


1996-97
65.3


1997-98
64.3


1998-99
57.4


1999-2000
61.1


2000-01
78.8


2001-02
101.4


2002-03
100.1


2003-04
90.5


2004-05
67.8


2005-06
31.9



  The information is taken from the annual accounts published by Scottish Water and its predecessor organisations. Figures for 2006-07 have yet to be published. The local authorities were responsible for the water industry prior to 1996. The information sought from that time is not held centrally.